Director of Religious Education

Working within the framework of the UUFSB mission, our Director of Religious Education, Gretta Johnson-Sally, collaborates with the Religious Education Committee to develop religious education programming for children in preschool through high school and oversees the nursery care program for infants to three year olds.

Gretta Johnson-Sally, comes to her position with a collection of skills and experience that make her uniquely qualified to direct and implement our non-dogmatic religious education program.

After a 20-year career in the business world, Gretta received a Masters in Secondary Education from Long Island University's CW Post campus, and then a second Masters in Counseling with certifications in School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University's Brentwood Campus. She taught and served as a guidance counselor in several local middle and high schools. Gretta also serves on the Board of Directors of the Long Island Area Council of Unitarian Universalist Congregations (LIAC) and has taught at LIAC's Sophia Fahs summer camp on Shelter Island.

Gretta and her husband, Patrick, have a daughter who is a college sophomore and a son who is a college senior. Both went through the religious education program at UUFSB. Her involvement in the program through the years influences her approach as director, "It was rewarding to have my kids go through the religious education program at UUFSB as well as the UU programs of Love and Help, Our Whole Lives and Coming of Age. I like the way the programs have complemented our parenting to help develop their values. They have become welcoming, accepting and open-minded young people."

"This is a value-based religious education program. We're currently using a curriculum called Tapestries of Faith that has sections about world religions, about Unitarian Universalist ideals and values, and about Unitarian Universalist history and traditions. Of course, we also make the lessons engaging and age-appropriate. We want the kids to have fun and make friends with children and youth who share the same values that they do. I work with the RE Committee, our RE leaders and parents to make that happen."

The UUFSB religious education program has over 100 children registered, from infants to senior high school youth. The program is not limited to the children of UUFSB members and is always open for new enrollments. Gretta encourages parents to attend one or more religious education sessions at UUFSB with their child to get a feel for the program.